The United States men’s national team clinched its place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2‑0 in a match that marked the end of a ten‑game winless streak against European sides and snapped a twelve‑match winless run overall.
Folarin Balogun broke the deadlock in the opening half, only to see his night cut short by a second‑half red card. The breakthrough came again after the break when Malik Tillman curled a free‑kick into the net, preserving a clean sheet and sealing a comfortable win.
Next up: Belgium in Seattle
The U.S. will meet Belgium on July 6 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Belgians, currently ranked tenth by FIFA, advanced after edging Senegal in extra time, and they enter the fixture with confidence after a recent 2‑1 victory over the Americans in the 2014 knockout stage.
For the United States, the win revives hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Past attempts have repeatedly fallen just short, with narrow defeats to Ghana, the Netherlands and Belgium itself. Belgium’s best World Cup finish came in 2018 when they secured third place.
With the group stage behind them, the American squad now looks to translate this momentum into a deeper run, aiming to rewrite a narrative that has long been defined by close calls.